Chapter 858: Final Draft; Greenlit…

……

"What? The final guaranteed distribution price has been set at 2.5 billion again?"

"Heh, worthy of the capital leviathan that started on the internet and then took root in the finance industry — what an appetite…"

"They've only been in the film and television industry for three years, but this 'a snake that can't swallow an elephant but wants to anyway' style shows not a shred of the awareness you'd expect from newcomers. Do they really think the film business is the internet or finance?"

Wang Wang Zhonglei picked up where the others left off, sneering as he mocked. Huayi did indeed have its eye on that Ali Pictures film, but now — completely impossible.

Because the only ones who could accept a 2.5 billion guaranteed distribution price were Wanda, China Film, Shanghai Film, and Bona — those few companies;

Under such circumstances, a distributor without its own major theater chain to back it up simply couldn't pull it off, because the pressure would multiply exponentially!

"Director Wang?" Feng Feng Xiaogang looked toward Wang Wang Zhongjun, his eyes flickering uncertainly, with a hint of inquiry.

"If we accept it, Huayi would have to split the accounts with Ali Pictures in advance at the 2.5 billion box-office figure before the film is even released. You have to understand, that's nearly a billion in capital. Even if we needed to… this pie is really too big — it'd be very easy to draw unwanted attention."

Wang Wang Zhongjun shook his head and gave an equivocal reply, directly turning Feng Feng Xiaogang down. Huayi's current "slow and steady" approach was far safer than rashly taking on a "big single deal."

"Then that's how we'll reply to them — we're out." Wang Wang Zhonglei was the first to lay his cards on the table.

"Mm, while you're at it, notify Ye Ning as well — the distribution company doesn't need to make any more preparations for this matter." Wang Wang Zhongjun nodded to Wang Wang Zhonglei and instructed.

That's right — even though Ye Ning was already a shareholder and executive at Huayi, for these small "inner circle" meetings at Huayi, he still hadn't been invited to participate, and wouldn't be invited in the future either.

The reason was that he was a latecomer, not one of Huayi's "bone-deep, sinew-connected" insiders from the very beginning, like Feng Feng Xiaogang;

Director Feng and Huayi had been bound together long ago — both sides were people on the same boat, sharing in glory and sinking together!

"By the way, how's that script for Director Guan Hu's 'The Eight Hundred' coming along?" Without waiting for Wang Wang Zhonglei's response, Wang Wang Zhongjun asked again.

"Just these few days — by the earliest next month it'll be completely finished."

"Good, then we'll announce the project during the Shanghai International Film Festival.

This should count as a main-melody blockbuster too, right? Although it's about the Nationalist army, heh… hope he adds less of his personal agenda… now not only is script review strict, the finished-film review is even harsher…"

On the other side, Ren Ren Zhonglun had also left the "The Wandering Earth" crew fully satisfied, because all his objectives had been achieved.

From the Magnolia Awards ceremony to the opening of the Shanghai International Film Festival, Lin Nan would head over early; and there was also the matter of "Detective Chinatown 2," for which Ren Ren Zhonglun had specifically come to get a reassurance pill.

"Lin Dao, 'Detective Chinatown 2' is really going to start?"

The crew's leading actors were also hearing for the first time the news that a sequel to "Detective Chinatown" was being greenlit, and each and every one of them was a little eager to try.

Although everyone knew that "Detective Chinatown 2" would certainly keep the two core roles for the original cast… but what if they could snag one of the sequel's lead roles? Tsk tsk tsk, this was undoubtedly an extremely tempting top-tier pie in the industry!

"Maimai, what's wrong with your eyes? Did you get dust in them, or a bug?"

"Lin Dao, she's giving you the eye — look at those big eyes blinking… wasted effort!"

"Ugh, why do you talk so much?" Zhao Zhao Jinmai glared at Zhang Zhang Ruoyun with annoyance. The two of them had grown familiar in the same crew, and when they roughhoused, it was this direct.

"Then you really are a blind man lighting a lamp." Lin Nan teased with a grin.

"Ah? So what you mean is, there's already one person from the original cast?" Zhao Zhao Jinmai asked pointedly — she was referring to Zhang Zhang Zifeng.

"No, it's that there's no role suited to your age group. If you were three or four years older, I might really be able to give you a role. But as you are now — and that includes Zhang Zifeng — your faces are still a bit too young."

Lin Nan simply gave a clear explanation: there was also no role for Zhang Zhang Zifeng in the sequel.

However, there should still be plenty of opportunities to work together in the future — after all, among the post-2000s generation of new actresses in China, the ones who could truly hold their own right now were really, really few.

"I see? Then I'll be looking forward to other films from Lin Dao's company, hehe…" Zhao Zhao Jinmai climbed up the pole with a grin — what a little clever imp.

"Alright, I'm looking forward to it too." Lin Nan didn't dampen the kid's enthusiasm, but smiled and nodded — consider it a promise.

……

On the morning of the 27th, "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales" delivered its opening-day box-office answer of 133 million.

At the same time, "The Adventurers," co-produced by Bona and Universe, and directed by Chen Chen Jiashang, also officially opened.

However, the industry's focus was almost entirely on "Ip Man 4," because today was the last day of that film's theatrical run, and it seemed there might still be some box-office potential left?!

"Just as it's about to come off the screens, it runs smack into the release of a major imported IP blockbuster — 'Ip Man 4's' daily take today is obviously going to be the same as yesterday… this film's total box office probably won't reach 1.37 billion."

At China Film, the secretary was briefing Beside La La Peikang on the film market situation — all these figures were consolidated at the China Film distribution company.

La La Peikang merely nodded perfunctorily, then, as if "casually," asked about something else: "What's your view on Ali Pictures' offer?"

The secretary's heart suddenly thumped — although as the leader's secretary he shouldn't talk out of turn, at this moment he really had to speak up.

"Director La, the group's several vice-directors, including the general manager, are all opposed!

We've lost too much money over the past two years — especially now that China Film's movie shares have already gone public… we don't just have to file work reports with the higher-ups, we also have to consider the consequences and impact on the outside.

Besides, the most important thing for us in the summer slot is 'The Founding of an Army' — we have to give all our screening resources priority to it… as for box-office results, we can keep an eye on those later."

In the secretary's view, Director La had already become a bit obsessed.

Of course, if it were Han Dong, he would probably take the gamble too. But in fact, Director La really couldn't match Han Dong's ability — and as for cleaning up messes, there was even less comparison!

La La Peikang didn't respond, but rubbed his face with both hands to perk himself up a bit.

He wanted this and he wanted that — he wanted both the fish and the bear's paw — but he was also a little uneasy inside, because the past year-plus had really been too "utterly defeated"!

After a moment, La La Peikang seemed to have made a great decision and spoke: "Then go reply to them on my behalf — China Film… has no interest."

"Alright, I'll go in a bit." The secretary responded immediately upon hearing this.

……

"Originally we were wrapping up this afternoon, but this morning Lin Nan moved it up by half a day; so once the morning shoot is over, the crew will officially be on holiday — Lin Nan has a high-speed train at just past noon."

Liu Liu Yifei came over carrying a tray from the coffee machine — on it were freshly brewed coffees with milk and sugar for Luo Jin and Tang Yan. Because they were having a gathering tomorrow, these two had simply rushed over to the capital this morning.

"Eight months — tomorrow when I see your Lin Dao Da, I'm going to give him a proper piece of my mind. These eight months have really been exile overseas." Luo Jin took the coffee and complained with a smile.

"You should be thanking Lin Dao — this is a main-melody blockbuster for the Navy's political department." Tang Yan, also smiling, corrected him.

"Complain all you want, I have no opinion. But from what you two are saying, you're not planning to keep me company until this afternoon? Why do we have to meet tomorrow?" Liu Liu Yifei sat on the single sofa and teased.

"I've only been back less than a week, and now I can see I only have four days before I have to report to set — of course we're seizing the time for our world for two, mm, this afternoon I'll take her shopping."

The usually so reserved Luo Jin, after a gap of eight months, had also become this direct. Liu Liu Yifei was caught a little off guard for a moment, and then seeing Tang Yan's bashful expression — well, she said she understood!

Just then, the roar of an engine appeared out of nowhere and grew deafening, driving into the yard and stopping outside the villa door.

Liu Liu Yifei and the other two hurriedly stood up and walked toward the door. Sure enough, it was Han Jianv who had arrived!

"Oh my, everyone's here? Perfect, come come come, take a look at my film script — the freshly baked 'Unnamed Ones.'"

Han Jianv, dressed in a white printed T-shirt, denim jeans, sneakers, and black sunglasses, lifted the new bag Liu Liu Yifei had given her a few days ago from the passenger seat while greeting everyone with a beaming smile.

She had come to share good news and celebrate — well, "Unnamed Ones" was finally finished, and her directorial debut film could now begin the project-approval process.

In other words, she had come to ask Liu Liu Yifei and Lin Nan for money. Of course, Lin Dao Da hadn't returned yet, so coming to chat with this rich lady Liu Liu Yifei first worked just as well!

……

Afternoon, Lin Nan Pictures.

Yue Jun carefully reviewed the adaptation rights purchase agreement for "Wrath of Silence," going over it almost word by word. After a long while, he handed the contract to his assistant.

"Take this to the screenwriting department for archiving, and report it to the finance department once more — then the disbursement procedures will be fully complete. Hmm, right, also let the screenwriting department know to put this script on the queue too, treat it as a series-film script."

"Understood, President Yue. One more thing — Enlight is asking, when 'How Long Will I Love U' starts filming the day after tomorrow, who's going from our company?"

"Tell them Director Jiang will arrive in Magic City on time." While speaking, Yue Jun also checked the time:

"In another hour, Lin Dao should be back. Go confirm the noon time tomorrow with the main crew of 'Operation Red Sea,' try not to miss anything, and also the China World Hotel side…"

While Yue Jun was arranging a pile of trivial but important matters, over at Alibaba Pictures, Zhang Zhang Qiang had also begun mocking several companies.

"First it was Wanda, then Enlight, and today Shanghai Film, China Film, and Huayi actually got together? All saying they're pulling out? These people really are indecisive — willing to do great things but unwilling to risk their skins!"

"President Zhang, to be honest, it's a good thing if they accept, and it doesn't matter at all if they don't. And looking at it now, there's simply no film in the summer slate that can affect us.

'Wolf Warrior 2' is a commercial military film, and the audience for this genre in the country was never large to begin with;

'The Founding of an Army' is another tribute film, but 'The Founding of a Republic' already set such a brilliant precedent that the follow-ups can hardly surpass it — and the box office of the previous 'Beginning of the Great Revival' already proves this point. The ceiling for this kind of subject matter can't be that high either…"

Zhang Zhang Qiang looked at his assistant, pondering the man's words.

"Besides, the xianxia-romance genre has been an enduring hit type in recent years, and this time we also have the broad audience base built up by the TV series at the start of the year… No matter how you look at it, we have no rivals in the summer slate!"

The assistant added again — this was the result one could see at a glance. Those companies were probably worried that after taking it on, they wouldn't earn much but would have to bear the risk, right?

"Good, what you said does make sense. Then we don't need to wait for Bona and the others' reply — we'll do it ourselves!"

Zhang Zhang Qiang's eyes carried incomparable confidence — this summer slate would be led by Alibaba Pictures!

……

Facts proved that resting and recuperating in the crew (acting as a monk) for a long time was indeed very beneficial for the "blood boiling" of a reunion sweeter than a honeymoon.

But unfortunately, Lin Nan's opponent was a strong woman who, staying home for ten days, spent eight of them working out and training.

So, the first half of the night was fine — evenly matched, the battle fierce… but later on, the one being "squeezed" was him, and in a way where he had absolutely no power to fight back underneath!

So much so that when the sun was already high, Lin Dao Da still hadn't gotten up, because he really was… sleeping too soundly.

When the news that "Ip Man 4" had wrapped its theatrical run with a total box office of 1.368 billion had already been hanging on Weibo for two hours, Lin Nan was lazily dragged out of bed by Liu Liu Yifei.

"…Lin Nan, get up quick, we need to get ready for the lunch gathering, you're so lazy…"

"Me, lazy? My yang energy is all dried up, and you have the nerve to say you got up early?"

……

It was only just past 10 a. m. after washing up — not late at all — so Lin Dao Da simply stayed home and started browsing movie news online.

Good lord, the first item was news that Bona had failed to ride the heat of "Ip Man 4," and "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale" had flopped on its opening day, getting pummeled by "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales."

Opening-day box office of 14.98 million! Once this opening-day figure came out, "Warriors of the Rainbow: Seediq Bale" could just lie flat and rot from then on — no need to dream.

Because it would only get pummeled all the way by "Pirates of the Caribbean 5" until it wrapped its run; because the two films' release dates were adjacent, just one day apart — truly the same slot the whole way through!

"Here, before we head out, you can take a look at the script Jianv sent over — she's getting ready to start the project."

Glowing with health and radiant, Liu Liu Yifei came downstairs from the second floor.

Under a black leather jacket were high-waisted casual pants; her Bai Xi feet, toenails painted and stepping in high heels, came down step by step, strikingly eye-catching; long wavy hair, heavy makeup, red lips… truly lethal!